In honor of one of my best friends in the world finding her wedding dress today (YAY!) I thought I would write about the trials and tribulations of my dress search, and the tips I have for future brides. I spent a solid six months of stress, anxiety, and despair trying to find the perfect dress.  After trying on a million dresses I knew what I wanted, I just couldn’t find it.  I considered having it made custom, but that stressed me out even more.

 

When looking for the right shops to look at, do your research.  When I was looking for the right shop, I knew that I wanted to have an experience and I looked for salons that would provide that.  My favorite place, and where I ended up finding my dress, was The Gown Gallery located in Kansas City KS.  The place is really cool, and I just knew from my research that the consultants would be wonderful and by my side every step of the way.  I would not have found a dress without them!!  I walked in and was offered a mimosa.  I was absolutely allowed to panic a bit, and never felt rushed.  Find somewhere that will have knowledgeable consultants that will take care of you.

 

Come prepared.  Bring a strapless bra and shoes that you think are going to be about the same height as your wedding shoes.  If you’re short like me, a few inches can actually make a difference.  Do your hair and make-up, wear a cute dress.  It seems silly, but you will be happier about the dresses if you feel great. Don’t forget to be mentally prepared too; don’t put pressure on yourself, relax, and you’ll have a great time.

 

Most girls have been dreaming of their wedding dress since they were a little girl, and dreaming of the moment you find it for almost as long. It’s a lot of pressure, and pressure is the enemy of an easy dress search. The other thing that adds pressure is the wrong people.  You may love all of your bridesmaids, but you also know them and know which ones won’t be a positive force during your bridal session.  You really don’t need their opinions, you need people who will cry and hug you when you’ve found the one.

 

Because we’ve been thinking about the perfect dress for so long, most girls think they already know exactly what they want.  They’ve spent hours browsing wedding magazines, and days on pinterest.  The problem with this, is that most girls haven’t spent this much money on a high quality dress before.  They fit differently than something you might pick up at Target. The structure, fabrics, and shapes are different.  You might look great in a dress that you though you’d never be able to wear.  You need to try everything on once.  There is nothing wrong with taking a few minutes to try things on, then checking it off your list and narrow down what you do want.  Give these beautiful dresses a chance, and you may fall in love all over again.

 

After you’ve found the perfect dress, do not forget about alterations.  The most beautiful of dresses can be become less than perfect if it doesn’t fit you properly.  Yes, alterations can be expensive, but they are worth every penny.  When creating your budget, remember to budget them in along with the cost of the dress. Also, you need to have the right undergarments. Finding just the right bra or bustier can make you look even better, and more comfortable in your dress. If you have questions on what to buy, ask your dress consultant or alterer.

 

I hope these tips help you on the search for the perfect dress.  Happy dress shopping!

 

-Meghan